Hickory Creek of Athens
Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise highly effective physical and occupational therapy. Still worth an in-person visit.
based on 41 Google reviews
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What this means for your family
This facility has a strong reputation for physical and occupational therapy, making it a viable option for short-term rehabilitation. However, you should conduct an unannounced visit to verify cleanliness and staffing levels, as multiple families have raised serious concerns about hygiene and understaffing.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
41 reviews on Google“Hickory Creek of Athens receives highly polarized feedback, with many reviewers praising the therapy department and individual staff members for their kindness. However, significant concerns exist regarding cleanliness, facility odors, and chronic understaffing, which some families feel compromises the safety and dignity of residents.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Highly effective physical and occupational therapy
- Friendly and compassionate frontline staff
- Strong support for short-term rehab patients
Concerns
- Chronic understaffing leading to safety issues (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Unsanitary conditions and persistent odors (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Poor quality of food (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 44 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
Questions for Your Tour
- 1We've heard wonderful things about your physical and occupational therapy programs; how do you tailor those sessions to help residents regain their independence?
- 2Since we want to ensure a comfortable environment, what are your current protocols for maintaining cleanliness and managing odors in the resident rooms and common areas?
- 3How do you ensure that residents receive consistent, high-quality attention and safety monitoring, especially during busy shifts?
- 4Could you tell us more about the dining experience, specifically how the menu is planned to ensure meals are both nutritious and enjoyable for everyone?
- 5What is the process for handling medical emergencies or changes in a resident's condition during the overnight hours?
- 6What kind of daily activities or social events do you have planned to keep residents engaged and connected with one another?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The speech/occupational/physical therapists were so helpful and professional and with their help she was able to go back home after a few weeks.”
“Worst place you could ever put your family member in and I do not say that lightly - upper management and director of nursing is rude and place is very understaffed which is very unsafe, facility is dirty feces and urine all over rooms cluttered and unsafe.”
“My husband was in hospice at Hickory Creek, and received very good care. Staff was unfailingly kind and professional.”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026Both RN and total nursing hours are below national benchmarks. This can mean less clinical attention per resident, so ask about their staffing plan.
Quality Measures
Quality Measures
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
11
measures
6
measures
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents vaccinated for the flu
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
Hickory Creek has 29 deficiencies across four surveys, with one complaint filed by families regarding behavioral health care. The most recurring issues involve quality of care, medication management, and resident assessments. While all deficiencies show correction dates, the facility has had persistent problems with infection control and care planning across multiple surveys, suggesting ongoing challenges with care consistency.
Aug 11, 2025Routine3
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Aug 5, 2024Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
Jun 6, 2024Routine10
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Egress Deficiencies
Have exits that are accessible at all times.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Oct 4, 2022Routine15
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper power supply for life support equipment.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Hickory Creek of Athens
for profit
Chain Affiliation
Foundations Health Solutions
63 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 4.0/5 · Rank 38 of 60
Ownership & Management
Key personnel
Contact
Get in Touch
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References & Resources
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
41 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit hickory-creek.net
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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